Operation Christmas Child

One shoebox:  a dollar store doll, silly bands, scratch paper from a 2011-2012 calendar, a mallet, soap, a tooth brush and a high school musical table cloth.  As a child, if you had received only the previous in a shoebox for Christmas would you have been grateful?

I ashamedly must answer with a definite NO.  

As long as I can remember since moving to Nacogdoches in 1999, I have participated in Operation Christmas Child by either packing a box myself or giving money. I would cram as much "junk" into my shoebox as possible. I knew every little bit would be welcomed but It was not until my first visit to Tanzania in 2005, that I really grasped what these items could mean. What I saw as junk was unimaginable treasure to the person opening that box. But it is the message of salvation through Christ that is the ultimate treasure. 

This year was different. This year, while I missed the deadline to actually turn in a box, I was still able to participated. I, alongside 33 men and women from FBC Nac as well as hundreds of others at multiple distribution warehouses across the US, was able to help process and distribute thousands of shoe boxes on Thursday, December 12th.  And what a blessing it was!

I had no clue what to expect when we got off the bus in Hurst, TX and entered a large warehouse facility. 

After we checked in we were taken through a quick orientation and work began. That day each box would be opened. The money for the shipping was removed and placed into a large locked trunk. Then the box was passed down the line for inspection. The goal was to keep the box as close to how it was originally packed. "Illegal" items were removed (food, liquids, used toys, glass, etc.) and filler items were added in its place (BOBS shoes, plastic rings, TY Beanie Babies, silly bands, etc.). Next tape was wrapped completely around the box to secure its contents, labels were scanned (so each individual could know the destination of their box) and boxes where packed into larger boxes based on age and gender. From here each larger box containing 14-18 shoeboxes (the more you pack the more cost effective) was tapped and then taken away to be packed into a shipping crate.  Next stop, a port city and then a ship ride to its country of destination. From 2pm-6pm my sole job was to tape each shoebox closed so its contents would be secure on its trek. These particular boxes for the day were bound for Honduras. 

Some things I learned: each item was placed specifically by someone, for someone and God knows who; what we see as junk, others see as treasure, God can use something as simple as a plastic ring to bring His good news and salvation and Samaritans purse IS doing exactly what they say they are doing with the resources given to them. 

So next year when you pack your shoebox rest assured your items will be delivered as closely as possible in the manner you packed it. God  will use your box to bless not just a child, but their siblings, their parents and many more. And the gospel will be heard! 

I can't begin to fully articulate all I am feeling about this experience right now but I hope this has shed a little light. As we are in the midst of our consumer driven, Americanized, first world problems, Christmas season let's take a moment to be thankful: not only for the material things we have but for the Goodnews of Jesus birth. After all as cliche as it sounds, Jesus IS the reason for the season!